Vented Dispensing Device

ABSTRACT

The dispensing device provides dispensable material in a closable container in concert with a corresponding accessory so that the container and the accessory can be commonly stored when not in use, and further provides a ventilated storage volume within the device that can facilitate drying and aerating the accessory.

This application is a continuation of Ser. No. 13/288,742 filed Nov. 3,2011 which was a continuation-in-part of application Ser. No. 12/712,569filed Feb. 25, 2010. Application Ser. No. 12/712,569 claimed priorityfrom application No. 61/155,432 filed Feb. 25, 2009. Application Ser.Nos. 12/712,569 61/155,432 and 13/288,742 are incorporated by referencein their entireties.

The vented dispensing device can provide dispensable material in aclosable container in concert with a suitable applicator so that thecontainer and the applicator can be cooperatively stored when not inuse. The dispensing device can further provide a ventilated storagevolume within the device that can facilitate drying the applicator, forexample when the dispensed container contents comprise liquids, and foraerating the applicator, for example to minimize mold growth and otherunwanted conditions that can be minimized by air flow. Other benefitscan be realized by the ventilated storage volume configuration beyondthe aforementioned, including but not limited to dispersing fragranceand masking environmental odor.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one embodiment, the vented dispensing device can comprise adispensing accessory and a container. The container can comprise adispensing nozzle for dispensing container contents, and a vented coverfor retaining the dispensing accessory proximal to the container. Thevented cover in use can connect to the container and can define anaccessory storage volume between the vented cover and the container. Thevented cover can have a vent opening extending through the vented coverto ventilate the storage volume; and at least part of the dispensingaccessory can be confined within the storage volume when the ventedcover is in use.

In another embodiment, the vented dispensing device can comprise adispensing accessory and a container. The container can comprise adispensing nozzle for dispensing container contents. The dispensingnozzle can have a trigger and a trigger cap, where the trigger cap canbe connected to the container and spaced apart from the trigger. Thetrigger cap in use can limit contact between the dispensing accessoryand the trigger. The container can further comprise a vented cover forretaining the dispensing accessory proximal to the container. The ventedcover in use can connect to the container and can define an accessorystorage volume between the vented cover and the container. The ventedcover can have at least one vent opening extending through the ventedcover to ventilate the storage volume, and at least part of thedispensing accessory can be confined within the storage volume when thevented cover is in use.

In another embodiment, the vented dispensing device can comprise adispensing accessory and a container. The container can comprise anozzle end, a reservoir end, and a trunk connecting the nozzle end andthe reservoir end. The container can further comprise a dispensingnozzle connected to the nozzle end, the nozzle for dispensing containercontents. The nozzle can comprise a trigger, with the trigger beingmovable to release container contents through the nozzle. The containercan further comprise a trigger guard extending along a triggerperimeter, the trigger guard limiting access to the trigger across theperimeter. The container can further comprise a vented cover in useretaining the dispensing accessory proximal to the container. The ventedcover can comprise an open end and vent end. The open end can beconfigured to receive the trunk, the nozzle end, and the nozzle, and toconnect to the container proximal to the reservoir end. The vent end cancomprise a plurality of vent openings through the vented cover, the ventopenings positioned to facilitate airflow around the nozzle when thevented cover is in use. The vented cover in use can connect to thecontainer to define an accessory storage volume between the vented coverand the container, and at least part of the dispensing accessory can beconfined in the storage volume when the vented cover is in use.

FIGURES

FIG. 1 is an isometric view of an embodiment of the dispensing device.

FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the above embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a side section view of the above embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a front view of an embodiment of a dispensing nozzle with atrigger guard showing a trigger perimeter.

FIG. 5 is a side section view of another embodiment

FIG. 6 is an exploded view of another embodiment including a triggercap, a cover nozzle opening and an accessory nozzle opening.

FIG. 7 is a side section view of the above embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a side section view of another embodiment.

FIG. 9 shows an embodiment with a rotating outer cap.

FIG. 10 shows an embodiment with a plurality of holes.

FIG. 11 shows an embodiment with holes on the top and a rotating outercap.

FIG. 12 shows an embodiment with holes and a removable solid outer cap.

FIG. 13 shows storing the outer cap of FIG. 12 on the bottom of thecontainer.

FIG. 14 shows a porous cap.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The vented dispensing device can comprise a dispensing accessory and acontainer. The container can hold dispensable material such as cleaningfluid, finishes like polish and wax, powder, compressed air and othergases, and various other materials and combinations thereof.

The container can comprise various geometric and organic shapes. Thecontainer can be cylindrical, prismatic, cone-shaped, and various shapesand combinations thereof.

The container can be configured with engagement features, for example,depressions, protrusions, hooks, forks, and various other features andcombinations thereof.

The container can further comprise a plurality of content sections, forexample, separate sections for holding different contents.

The container can comprise a nozzle end, a reservoir end, and a trunkconnecting the nozzle end and the reservoir end. The container can beopen at the nozzle end, and can have various other openings.

The dispensing accessory can be utilized to apply container contents,can be utilized to remove dispensed container contents, for exampleexcess material, overspray, and used cleaning fluid, can be used tobuff, polish, shine, and otherwise affect finish.

The dispensing accessory can be a towel, a soft pad, a sponge, andvarious other accessories and combinations thereof. The dispensingaccessory can be a brush, a cotton ball, and a swab.

The container can comprise a dispensing nozzle for dispensing containercontents. The dispensing nozzle can selectively open and close thecontainer. The dispensing nozzle can close the container at the nozzleend.

The dispensing nozzle can comprise a pump, a valve, a hinged flap, andvarious dispensing mechanisms and combinations thereof. The dispensingnozzle can comprise an opening such as an orifice, an aperture, and anelongate tube. The dispensing nozzle can comprise a plurality ofopenings. The dispensing nozzle can have an open position and a closedposition. The dispensing nozzle can have a plurality of open positions,for example, when utilized with a container having a plurality ofcontent sections, the open positions from the plurality of openpositions can correlate to respective container content sections.

The container can further comprise a vented cover. The vented cover canfacilitate retaining the dispensing accessory proximal to the container.The vented cover in use can connect to the container and define anaccessory storage volume between the vented cover and the container.

The vented cover can receive at least part of the container within thevented cover. For example, the vented cover can be configured to enclosethe container including the nozzle within the storage volume.Alternatively, the vented cover can enclose the vented cover except forthe nozzle within the storage volume. Alternatively, the vented covercan be configured to enclose the nozzle in one position, and to enclosethe container except for the nozzle in another position. Alternatively,the vented cover can connect to the container and not receive a part ofthe container within the vented cover.

The vented cover can comprise a vent opening extending through thevented cover. The vent opening can facilitate air flow into and out ofthe accessory storage volume to ventilate the accessory storage volume.

The vent opening can be positioned on the vented cover to ventilate apredetermined part of the storage volume, for example, to ventilate thestorage volume proximal to the nozzle. Similarly, other parts of thestorage volume where moisture is likely to collect can be targeted bypositioning the vent opening to ventilate the predetermined part of thestorage volume. The vented cover can comprise an open end and a nozzleend and can be configured to receive the container including the nozzlethrough the open end so that the nozzle is positioned proximal thenozzle end when the vented cover is in use.

The vented cover, in use connected to the container, can confine atleast part of the dispensing accessory within the accessory storagevolume. Confining part of the dispensing accessory within the accessorystorage volume can facilitate retaining the dispensing accessoryproximal to the container when the dispensing accessory is not in use.

When the vented cover is in use and part of the dispensing accessory isconfined within the accessory storage volume, the vent opening canfacilitate drying the accessory and can prevent accumulation of excesscontainer content on the accessory and within the storage volume.

The vented cover can comprise a plurality of vent openings. Theplurality of vent openings can be positioned on the vented cover so thateach vent opening ventilates one or more predetermined parts of thestorage volume.

The vented cover can be configured to define a plurality of accessorystorage volumes between the vented cover and the container, when thevented cover is in use. The vented cover can confine at least parts ofdispensing accessories from a plurality of dispensing accessories withinthe plurality of accessory storage volumes.

The container can comprise a plurality of vented covers and each coverfrom the plurality of vented covers can connect to the containerdirectly and can connect to the container via connecting to anothercover from the plurality of vented covers.

In the embodiment of FIGS. 1, 2, and 3, the dispensing device 10comprises a dispensing accessory 11, a container 21, a dispensing nozzle25, and a vented cover 31.

The dispensing accessory 11 comprises a cloth-like accessory forapplying, distributing, and removing dispensed container contents.

The container 21 comprises a generally cylindrically-shaped trunk 24with a reduced neck at the nozzle end 22 and a largercylindrically-shaped reservoir end 23. The nozzle 25 closes thecontainer 21 at the nozzle end 22.

The vented cover 31 connects to the container 21 and defines anaccessory storage volume 41 between the vented cover 31 and thecontainer 21. In use, the vented cover 31 receives the container 21through the vented cover open end 34 and connects to the container 21proximal the container reservoir end 23. The vented cover 31 enclosesthe nozzle 25 within the accessory storage volume 41.

The vented cover 31 comprises a plurality of vent openings, such as thevent opening 32. The vent opening 32 extends through the vented cover 31and enables air to flow through the vented cover 31 and facilitatesventilating the storage volume 41. In use connected to the container 21,the vent opening 32 is positioned at the vent end 35 to ventilate thestorage volume 41 proximal to the nozzle 25.

As shown explicitly in FIGS. 1 and 3, the dispensing accessory 11 isconfined within the storage volume 41 when the vented cover 21 is inuse. The cloth-like accessory 11 can drape over the nozzle 25 and extendalong the container trunk 24. With the vented cover 31 in use connectedto the container 21, the dispensing accessory 11 is substantiallyconfined within the accessory storage volume 41 between the vented cover31 and the container 21.

Additionally, when the dispensing accessory 11 is confined within thestorage volume 41 as shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, the vent opening 32 ispositioned to ventilate the middle part of the dispensing accessory 11.Observations of common usage have shown that the middle part of thecloth-like accessory 11 can accumulate excess container contents and sobenefits from maximum ventilation.

The nozzle can comprise a trigger for causing the nozzle to dispensecontainer contents. The trigger can be movable to release containercontents through the nozzle. The trigger can activate another componentto cause release of container contents. The trigger can cause dispensingvia various means and methods.

The trigger can comprise a spray head with a finger-positioningdepression, a lever for pumping container contents from the containerthrough the nozzle, a valve release actuator, and a pushbutton. Thetrigger can comprise various other mechanisms and indicators andcombinations thereof, which facilitate dispensing container contents viathe nozzle.

The nozzle 25 of the container 21 comprises a trigger 26. The trigger 26is movable to release container contents, for example, to releasepressurized gases.

The container can further comprise a trigger cap. The trigger cap canprevent unintentional trigger movement and can prevent accidentaldispensing of the container contents. The trigger cap can be positionedproximal to the trigger and can limit contact between the dispensingaccessory and the trigger, especially when the dispensing accessory isconfined within the storage volume.

The trigger cap can enclose the trigger and can enclose the nozzle.Alternatively, the trigger cap can extend adjacent to the trigger tolimit contact between the dispensing accessory and the trigger.

The trigger cap can comprise a trigger guard extending along a triggerperimeter, where the trigger perimeter at least party encircles thetrigger. The trigger guard can limit access to the trigger across theperimeter and enable access to the trigger from other directions. Thetrigger guard can provide similar protection as the trigger cap againstaccidental discharge while still enabling selective access to thetrigger while the trigger guard is in use.

As shown in FIGS. 2, 3, and 4, the container 21 includes a trigger capcomprising a trigger guard 28. The trigger guard 28 extends over thetrigger 26 along a trigger perimeter 29, and limits access to thetrigger 26 across the trigger perimeter 29. With the trigger guard 28 inuse, access to the trigger 26 is enabled through (but not across) thetrigger perimeter 29. When the dispensing accessory 11 is confinedwithin the storage volume 41, the dispensing accessory 11 can be spacedapart from the trigger 26 by the trigger guard 28 to prevent accidentaldischarge of container contents.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 5, the dispensing device 110 comprises acontainer 121. The container 121 is generally cylindrically-shapedincluding a reduced neck at the nozzle end 22 and a larger trunk 24connecting the nozzle end 22 and the reservoir end 23.

The container 121 comprises a nozzle 25 with a trigger 26, where thenozzle 25 closes the container 121 at the nozzle end 22. The container121 further comprises a trigger cap 27. The trigger cap 27 in use fullycovers the trigger 26 to prevent accidental discharge.

The vented cover 31 of the dispensing device 110 connects to thecontainer 121 proximal the trunk 24, enclosing the reservoir end 23 andnot enclosing the nozzle 22 and the trigger cap 27. The dispensingaccessory 11 is confined within the accessory storage volume 41 when thevented cover 31 is in use. The vented cover 31 comprises a plurality ofvent openings, such as the vent opening 32, and the vent opening 32 ispositioned on the vent cover 31 so that the storage volume 41 isventilated proximal to the dispensing accessory 11.

In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the dispensing device 210comprises a container 21, a dispensing accessory 211, and a vented cover231. The dispensing accessory 211 further comprises an accessory nozzleopening 12 through the middle part of the dispensing accessory 211. Thevented cover 231 further comprises a cover nozzle opening 33 through thevent end 35 of the vented cover 231.

The container 21 comprises a nozzle 25 with a trigger 26, where thenozzle 25 closes the container 21 at the nozzle end 22. The container 21further comprises a trigger cap 27. The trigger cap 27 in use fullycovers the trigger 26 to prevent accidental discharge.

The vented cover 231 connects to the container 21 and defines anaccessory storage volume 41 between the vented cover 231 and thecontainer 21. In use, the vented cover 331 receives the container 21through the vented cover open end 34 and connects to the container 21proximal the reservoir end 23. The vented cover 31 encloses thecontainer 21 and not the nozzle 25 within the accessory storage volume41.

When the vented cover 31 is in use, the nozzle 25 and the trigger cap 27protrude through the accessory nozzle opening 12 and through the covernozzle opening 33 so that the nozzle 25 and the trigger cap 27 areaccessible when the vented cover 231 is in use.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 8, the dispensing device 310 comprises avent cover 231 having a cover nozzle opening 33 and a dispensingaccessory 11 with no accessory nozzle opening. When the vented cover 231is in use, the nozzle 25 and the trigger cap 27 protrude through thecover nozzle opening 33 but are covered by the dispensing accessory 11.The dispensing accessory 11 drapes over the nozzle 25 and the triggercap 27 and passes into the accessory storage volume 41 through the covernozzle opening 33 to be confined within the storage volume 41.

The dispenser of the present invention finds many uses. A very importantuse is to clean the screens of computer devices such as monitors, laptopscreens, smart-phone screens and any other type of computer screen.

Other uses can be for household cleaners, glass cleaner, furniturepolish, multi-surface cleaner, glasses cleaner, motorcycle glassescleaner, windshield cleaner, portable cleaners for cars, leathercleaner. In addition, the present invention finds application in shoepolish dispensers, facewash—travel version, makeup remover—travelversion, jewelry cleaner, body wash, shaving cream and the like. Anyportable cleaner or liquid dispenser with a cloth that needs to bestored or dried is within the scope of the present invention.

FIG. 9 shows an alternative embodiment of the invention. The capincludes an inner cap 53 with vent openings or slots similar to what hasbeen previously described with a rotating outer cap 51 that covers theinner cap 53 and can block or cover the inner slots in some positions ofrotations and either partially, or totally, expose them in otherpositions of rotation. This allows the cloth 11 to dry in the openposition, but protects it from dirt and grime in the closed position.The second cap 51 can fit over the inner cap 53 and rotate about theaxis of the bottle 31. In the open position, the slots are typicallywide open and air can easily pass through the cap and dry the cloth 11.When the outer cap 51 is in the closed position, the solid materialbetween the slots on the outer cap can completely cover the slots toblock dirt, grime, oil and other contaminates. The outer cap 51 canoptionally have a detent where it can be clicked into the closedposition to hold it and to assure the user that the cap is closed.

FIG. 10 shows an embodiment of the invention with a perforated cap 32.The cap can contain a number of holes or perforations 54 rather than theslots of previous embodiments. This embodiment is less expensive andeasier to manufacture since it only requires one fixed cap 54 on thebottle 31 and likely no side action on the mold if made via injectionmolding.

FIG. 11 shows an embodiment with a perforations 55 in the top of thecap, but with an inner cap also containing similar perforations. Whenthe outer cap is rotated, the outer perforations 55 can miss-align withthe inner ones closing the cap, and hence protecting from dirt andgrime.

An alternative to the embodiment of FIG. 11 is shown in FIG. 12. Here, asingle cap 32 with perforations 54 is fixed, and a removable second cap55 slides down over the fixed cap 32 closing the holes 54. This has theadvantage of being cheaper and easier to manufacture than a rotatingcap.

FIG. 13 show the embodiment of FIG. 12 where the cap 55 can be stored onthe bottom of the bottle 31 when not in use simply by slipping it overthe bottom end.

Fig. shows an alternative embodiment with a single fixed cap 56 that ismade of a porous material. The pore size can be large enough to allowair in and moisture out, but small enough to prevent or reduce entry ofdirt, most dust, oil and the like.

Several descriptions and illustrations have been presented to aid inunderstanding the present invention. One with skill in the art willrealize that numerous changes and variations can be made withoutdeparting from the spirit of the invention. Each of these changes andvariations is within the scope of the present invention.

We claim:
 1. A vented dispensing device comprising: a removable fabricwipe cloth; a container that includes: a dispenser adapted to dispenseliquid contents; a vented inner cover having a plurality of ventopenings adapted to retain the wipe cloth proximal to the container in astorage configuration; the vented inner cover defining an accessorystorage volume between the vented inner cover and the container in thestorage configuration, said vented inner cover adapted to allowindependent removal of the wipe cloth in a use configuration and tostore and dry said fabric wipe cloth in the storage configuration; arotatable outer cover with plurality of vent openings corresponding tothe vent openings in the inner cover, said outer cover rotatable betweenan open position and a closed position, wherein said wipe cloth isexposed to air in said open position and protected from penetration ofcontaminants in said closed position.
 2. The dispensing device of claim1 wherein the wipe cloth is a towel.
 3. The dispensing device of claim 1wherein said vent openings are substantially uniformly distributedaround said vented inner and outer covers.
 4. The dispensing device ofclaim 1 wherein said dispenser is connected to a dispensing pump.
 5. Adispensing apparatus comprising: a reservoir containing a dispensablefluid; a dispensing nozzle attached to said reservoir; a perforated orporous cover covering said dispensing nozzle and at least a portion ofsaid reservoir, said cover defining a storage space around and abovesaid reservoir, wherein said storage space can receive and store aremovable cloth wipe adapted to clean an electronic device screen, andwherein said cloth wipe can be independently removed from said storagespace by removing said cover and stored in said storage space byreplacing said cover.
 6. The dispensing apparatus of claim 5 whereinsaid perforated or porous cover contains a plurality of holes.
 7. Thedispensing apparatus of claim 5 wherein said cloth wipe can be drapedover said nozzle when said removable perforated or porous cover is inplace.
 8. The dispensing apparatus of claim 5 wherein said dispensingnozzle is connected to a dispensing pump.
 9. The dispensing apparatus ofclaim 5 wherein said dispensable fluid is a liquid.
 10. The dispensingapparatus of claim 5 further comprising a removable solid cover adaptedto fit over said perforated or porous cover.
 11. The dispensingapparatus of claim 10 wherein said removable solid cover can also fit ona bottom end of said reservoir when not in use.
 12. A dispensingapparatus comprising an elongated bottle adapted to contain andspray-dispense a liquid, the elongated bottle having an upper end and alower end with a removable cap on the upper end, the removable capforming a space between it and the bottle which can store a removablefabric towel unattached to said removable cap or bottle, said removabletowel capable of cleaning an electronic device screen, and wherein theremovable cap comprises an inner cap and an outer cap, wherein the innercap has a plurality of holes, and the outer cap fits over the inner cap,and wherein said towel can be independently removed from said space foruse as a cleaning wipe by removing said cap.
 13. The dispensingapparatus of claim 13 wherein the outer cap contains a plurality ofcorresponding holes to the holes in the inner cap and wherein the outercap can be rotated with respect to the inner cap to either align thecorresponding holes allowing air to pass in and moisture to pass out ofsaid holes, or misalign the corresponding holes preventing contaminationfrom entering said holes.
 14. The dispensing apparatus of claim 13wherein said holes are elongated slots.
 15. The dispensing apparatus ofclaim 13 wherein said holes are round.
 16. The dispensing apparatus ofclaim 13 wherein the outer cap is solid and can be removed from theinner cap.
 17. The dispensing apparatus of claim 16 wherein the outercap can be stored on the lower end of said bottle when not in use. 18.The dispensing apparatus of claim 13 wherein said inner cap is porousand said holes result from said porosity.